Page 4 - EssexMason (Issue 86) Online Version

Provincial

Stisted Summer Fete

he Association of Friends of Duke of Kent Court may have
had a few worries about the weather as Sunday 14th July
Tapproached. But the annual summer fete this year faced
more challenges than just a shower of rain. The event was the
same day as the Wimbledon Men’s Final AND the cricket World
Cup Final (with England playing) AND the British Grand Prix...

But the team of volunteers, led by Association of Friends trustee Dennis May, who had put in so much hard work to prepare everything, needn’t have worried:
the crowds still came and the day proved a great success, raising almost £9,000 to support the work of the Friends in providing an amenity fund of more than
£1,300 a month to provide entertainment, concerts and days out, as well as parties and gifts for the residents at Christmas and Easter, and on anniversaries and
birthdays.

A breathtaking collection of classic cars welcomed the visitors coming to Stisted for the fete, which was opened by the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Rodney
Lister Bass, OBE. Well, strictly speaking, as it was the 20th such event since the formation of the Association of Friends, the PGM invited Sir Neil Thorne, who
as PGM himself had opened the home, to perform the offi cial ceremony, accompanied by Clive Dunnico, chairman of the association, and its president, Alan
Garner.
There were stalls and support from Lodges from all over the Province, including Southend, Upminster, Chelmsford, Braintree and Witham; 18 commercial stalls
sold a wide range of products; stalls from the Essex Welfare Trust, Provincial Museum, Provincial Almoner, the Holy Royal Arch and Mark Masons.
A packed prgramme of entertainment included the Bocking Brass Band, song and dance from the Frederick Douglas Academy, dancing and acrobatics from
White Court Dance Unlimited and singing from John Ellson. Thanks also to Essex Care Ltd, Roundwoods Garden Centre for running the BBQ, a large contingent
from the Widows Sons, the infl atable rugby challenge from the Lodge of XV and sterling work from the Provincial Stewards of the year.

Pr Provincial Almoners Stall The PGM RW Bro Rodney Bass OBE drawing The PGM RW Bro Rodney Bass OBE drawing
Provincial Grand Stewards who played a big part on the dayovincial Grand Stewards who played a big part on the day
the raffl e for Lodge of XV at Stisted
‘Mentoring Our Masons’ Hornchurch Lodge
John D Davies, PSGD, PAPGM, DSEM Celebrate 80 Years

On the 28th March 2019, in recognition of his 52
years of dedicated and valued service to Freemasonry
and the wider community the Provincial Grand On Saturday
Master on 28 March 2019 awarded John the ‘Essex 13th April 2019,
DSEM’ (Distinguished Service to Essex Freemasonry). H o r nc hu r c h
Initiated in 1967, from 1978 when appointed as a Lodge, No. 5790,
Provincial Grand Steward until retiring 41 years later celebrated their
as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, after eleven 80th Anniversary
years in that Offi ce, John had held fi ve Provincial with the Installation,
Grand Ranks in Craft and two in Royal Arch.
at 27 years, of their
Believing it is far more pleasurable to invest in people rather than in things, youngest Master
John takes every opportunity he can to assist new and existing brethren enjoy W.Bro. James Knight.
Freemasonry better through acquiring more understanding and knowledge
leading to a greater pride in their membership of the Craft. When Grand Lodge James is the third member of the Knight family to be Installed in the Lodge, with
approved the new offi ce of Lodge Mentor in 2012 John was already the Lodge his father Keith and uncle Peter going before him.
Mentor in two lodges and subsequently held the offi ce of Lodge Mentor in fi ve Not only were dad and uncle present but they also played active roles in the
other lodges as well as being Provincial Grand Mentor from 2011 to 2017. ceremony. The evening was made especially signifi cant with the presence of
Although the title ‘Mentor’ cannot be given to a lodge, John will do everything our Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW.Bro Paul Reeves. It is the tradition of
possible as Senior Warden of the newly consecrated Lodge Of Daily Advancement the Hornchurch Lodge to make a donation to the Essex Provincial Charity on
to help the members share his belief in helping others and continue the good work their Installation evening and on this special occasion they presented a cheque
of ‘Mentoring our Masons’ for the benefi t of all lodges and their members in the to the charity for £1,000. Additionally VW.Bro. Paul presented the Lodge with a
Province of Essex. Vice Patron Certifi cate for donations made thus far to the Essex Festival 2022.
An excellent Festive Board followed and was enjoyed by all to complete a very
By W Bro Tony Hales TD
rewarding day.
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